Combination-trunk.



No. 670,038'. Patenfed Mar. I9, IQOI.

` J. W. SHIELD'S.

CDMBINATIONTBUNK.

(Application led May 26, 1900.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

Nu.'a7o,o3s. Patented Mar.. I9', lem.

J. w. sinn-1Ds.

coMBlNATlon. TRUNK.

` (Application led May 26, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

f77/V6 71?/4 tar;

YH: 'wams verm NiTnD STATES PATENT CFFICE.

JOHN W. SHIELDS,-OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINATION-TRUNK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,038, dated March 19, 1901.

Application filed May 26, 1900. Serial No. 18,037. (No model.)

To tZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. SHIELDS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, Manhattan borough, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination-Trun ks, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification and ac. companying drawings, and in the latter- Figure l is aview in perspective of a combination trunk constructed in accordance with my invention, the closure members thereof being shown as swung on their hinges away from the main portion thereof. Fig. 2 is a central transverse section of the trunk. Fig. 3 is a detailed edge view, on anenlarged scale,of one ofthe universalgarment-retainers which I make use of. Fig. 4 is a detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of one of the individual garment-retainers which I make use of. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of said individual retainer, as on the line a a of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of a modified form of one of the parts employed in connection with the individual garmentretainers which I make use of, the scale being enlarged.

Similar reference numerals denote like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in receptacles of that class commonly known as combination-trunks, the same being utilized for the storage of wearing-apparel, toilet articles, and the like.

The object of my invention is to provide a trunk of the character above specified which shall be adapted to stand on one end under normal conditions, which shall combine the qualities or characteristics of a wardrobe and of a toilet chionnier, which shall be simple, cheap, and novel as regards construction, which shall effectively accomplish the purposes for which it is designed, and which shall possess well-defined advantages over prior analogous structures.

The invention consists in the employment of certain novelly-formed parts, in the novel disposition and arrangement of and the novel manner of assembling the various parts, in certain combinations of the latter, and in certain details of construction, all of which will be referred to specifically hereinafter.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, the main or body portion of the trunk comprises a rear portion 2, a side portion 3, and respective end portions 4 4'.

5 is a longitudinal connection serving to tie or brace the end portions 4 4', the same having a direct fastening engagement at its ends, respectively, with said end portions at their free angles.

I arrange Within the main portion of the trunk a series of hangers, as 6 6' 6, the same being attached to the end portion 4 in any convenient and approved manner. In order that due space may be provided for between the service portion of each of said hangers and the end portion 4, I prefer that each of said hangers be given an angular form, substantially as shown in the drawings.` Depending from each of the hangers 6 6' 6 is a se ries of hooks, as 7 7' 7", and these hooks are capable each of a sliding adjustment with respect to the hanger from which it depends. These hooks are intended each for the engagement of the eye, as 8, of a garment-support, as 9. aseries of which garment-supports I make use of, as illustrated in the drawings.

As universal retainers for preventing undue shifting or displacement of the garments suspended or contained Within the main portion of the trunk I make use of the ileXible connections 10, each riveted or otherwise securely attached to the rear portion 2 at suitable intervals therealong. Each of the connections l0 is provided with a rigid guard, as ll, having eyes, as 12, through which the connection passes, and in a manner that the guard may have adjustment with respect to and along the said connection. Any desired number of the universal retainers may be employed, and a corresponding number of buckles, as 13, or other suitable fasteners may be provided, one for securing the free end of each of said connections. I further make use of a series of individual garment-retainers, primarily intended each for holding or retaining against undue displacement the lower portion of a single garment that may be suspended or contained within the main portion of the IOO trunk. It is apparent, however, that any one of these individual retainers may be made to serve as a retainer for the lower portion of two or even more garments contained within the trunk.

The individual retainers are shown as comprising each a hook 14, provided with an elongated eye 15, the latter having a swivel connection with said hook, a flexible connection 16 engaging the eye 15 and doubling back upon itself in a manner to form parallel members of said connection, between which parallel members the lower portion of the gary ment to be rel ained is inserted, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. The hook 14 engages, by preference, one of a series of perforations, as 17, formed in the transverse rail 1S, which is secured in any convenient and approved manner to the rear portion 2 or end portion 4' and occupies a position parallel therewith and with the end portion 4', and the end portions of the connection 16 are brought to and tied around or otherwise secured to the service portion of the rail 19, which is firmly mounted upon the end portion 4', by preference turned downward at its ends, and extends along said end portion, adjacent to the front edge thereof. One of the parallel members of the looped connection 16 carries a clasp 20, having sliding adjustmenton said member and provided with a tongue 21, adapted to swing sidewise with respect to said clasp and securely grip the opposite parallel member of the connection 16.

The lower portion of a garment suspended in the main portion of the trunk having been inserted between the parallel members of the flexible connection of such garments individual retainer, the clasp 2O is adjusted along that parallel member on which it is slidably mounted in the direction of the garment and the tongue thereof is swung sidewise and caused to grip and hold the opposite parallel member of the connection 16, thus overcoming any tendency to displacement on the part of the lower portion of such garment.

The individual garment-retainers not only serve the `purpose specified, but also aid the user in distinguishing or identifying one of many garments whichmay be stored in the main portionv of the trunk, as they provide, in a sense, a lin-e of demarcation between the respective garments thus stored.

22 is a universal bar fixed to and extending along the side portion 3, adjacent to the front edge thereof. It is preferably turned at its ends, as shown, in order that the bar proper may be suitably distanced from said side portion and caused to project inwardly therefrom. The function of this universal bar will be explained hereinafter.

23 and 24 are respectively front and side box-like closure members of the trunk, the former hinged to the main portion of the trunk, as at 25 25, and the latter hinged to the main portion of the trunk, as at 26 26.. Each of the closure members of the trunk is provided with a series of drawers, as 27 27', intended for the storage of toilet and other miscellaneous articles. It will also be observed that when said box-like closure members are moved to their closed positions one is adapted to overlap the other, and under these conditions the underlapping closure member serves t0 lock the drawers in the overlapping closure member against opening or outward movement. When the member 24 is swung on its hinges to the main portion of the trunk, it serves as a front closure therefor, and when the member 23 is likewise swung on its hinges to the main portion of the trunk it serves as a side closure therefor.

25 is a strip of metal fixed exteriorly to the closure member 23, extending continuously along the inner edge of the front side portion and the respective end portions thereof and designed to serve as a lip for said closure member, and the strip of metal 26 is similarly fixed to the end portions of the member 24 for a like purpose.

When the closure member 24 is swung to the position wherein it serves as aclosure for the main portion of the trunk, the universal bar 22 acts as a stop for the drawers 27 and holds said drawers securely in place within the closure member 24. The drawers 27 27/ may also be provided with individual locks, as will be 4readily understood.

When the closure members 23 24 are in the position in which they serve to close the main portion of the trunk, they may be locked in this position in any common and approved manner, as by means of the parts 28 2S'.

It will further be observed that my improved trunk as a whole is provided at one end with a plurality of feet 29, each of which comprises, by preference, a body portion of yielding material and means, as a screw or rivet, for fastening the same in position for service. `These feet not only act as mediums on which the trunk may stand, but they also serve to distinguish the bottom portion of the trunk from the top portion thereof.

The main portion of the trunk, as herein described, is intended to embody the characteristics of a wardrobe, and the closure members herein described are intended to embody the characteristics of a toilet chiffonnier.

From the foregoing description of my improved combination-trunk it will be seen that the same is Well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed, and it will be further understood that the 1same may be modified to some extent, particularly in the matters of lform and details of the general construction,

without material departure from the principle and spirit of my invent-ion.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A trunk of the class described comprising a main portion having one open side and IOO i l i an open front, the end portions of said main portion being joined by a longitudinal connection engaging said end portions at or near their free angles, and the main portion being provided interiorly with a flexible, universal garment-retainer carrying a rigid guard capable of adjustment with respect to and along said retainer, as herein specified.

2. A universal garment-retainer for use in a trunk, the same comprising a iiexible connection and a rigid guard, the latter adapted to lie parallel with, and capable of longitudinal adjustment along, said connection, as herein specilied. i

3. A trunk of the class described comprising a main portion having one open side and an open front, the end portions of the main portion being joined' by a longitudinal connection engaging said end portions at or near their free angles, parallel rails arranged one along the rear wall of said main portion and adjacent to one of the end portions thereof, and the other along the front edge of said end portion, a hook engaging the rear rail,a flexible connection engaging said hook and doubled upon itself to form parallel members, a sliding clasp on one of said members, the said parallel members being adapted to be fastened to the rail at the front edge of said end portion, as herein specified 4. A trunk of the class described comprising a main portion having one open side and an open front, the end portions of said main portion being joined by a longitudinal connection engaging said end portions at or near their free angles, parallel rails arranged one along the rear wall of said main portion and adjacent to one of the end portions thereof, and the other along the front edge of said end portion, a hook engaging the rear rail, a flexible connection engaging said hook and doubled upon itself to form parallel members, the latter capable of being fastened to the rail at the front edge of said end portion, as herein specified.

5. A trunk of the class described comprising a main portion having one open side and an open front, a longitudinal connection having a direct fastening engagement at its ends respectively with the end portions of said main portion, and a swinging box-like closure member, the latter provided with drawers and adapted to close said open front of the main portion, and the side portion of said main portion being provided with an inwardly-projecting part capable of locking said drawers when said closure member serves to close the open front of said main portion, as herein specified.

6. A trunk of the class herein described comprising a main portion having one open side and an open front, a longitudinal connection for joining the end portions of said main portion, one end of which connection terminates at the free angle of one of said end portions and therewith has a fastening engagement, and the other end of which connection terminates at the tree angle of the opposite end portion and therewith has a fastening engagement, and swinging, box-like closure members provided each with drawers and adapted to close one the open front and the other the open side of said main portion, the side portion of said main portion being provided with an inwardly-projecting part capable of locking the said drawers in said front closure member When the latter serves to close the open front of said main portion, substantially as herein specitied.

7. A trunk of the class herein described comprising a main portion having an open side and an open front, a longitudinal connection for joining the end portions of said main portion, one end of which connection terminates at the free angle of one of said end portions and therewith has a fastening engagement, and the other end of which connection terminates at the free angle of the opposite end portion and therewith has a fastening engagement; swinging, box-like closure members provided each with drawers, adapted one to close the open front and the other the open side of said main portion, and adapted when moved to'their closed positions, one to underlap the other; and an inwardlyprojecting part carried by the side portion of said main portion and adapted to lock the drawers in said underlapping closure member, substantially as herein specified.

JOHN W. SHIELDS.

Witnesses:

W. H. RUBY, ALBERT C. TANNER. 

